Public Service Internship

Learn more about the Public Service Internship, a program that places UF graduate students in Washington, D.C. to support federal efforts in cancer‑related policy and outreach.

Front view of the United States Capitol building with its white neoclassical dome, columns, and grand staircase under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds

The UF Health Cancer Institute provides an opportunity for UF graduate students to serve as interns with the Federal Relations team in the University’s Washington, DC office. The interns primarily focus on legislative support related to cancer health policy, cancer prevention and telehealth initiatives in rural communities. Interns gain unique exposure to the U.S. government’s inner workings in advancing our education and research missions.

These internships are an integral and important part of the team charged with proactively supporting the University of Florida’s agenda on a national level and ensuring UF is a leading expert voice on important issues. As a representative of UF, interns are expected to conduct themselves respectfully at all times in a manner consistent with the UF Student Code of Conduct.

Interested and qualified candidates should submit their application form, résumé/curriculum vitae, faculty mentor letter of recommendation, references and a 1-page personal statement describing their interests, career goals, and reasons for pursuing this internship to Education@cancer.ufl.edu.

Cancer Policy Internship Program Summary – Website-Fall 2026

Applicant Information

Your Name(Required)

First Last Degree (s)

Contact(Required)

Email UF ID Phone #

Home Address(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City ZIP Code

Current Mailing Address(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City ZIP Code

Demographic Information

Residency Status(Required)

Gender(Required)

Ethnicity (select any that apply)(Required)

Asian

Black

Hispanic/Latinx

Native American, American Indian, or Alaska Native

White

Current UF Graduate Training Program/Department

Program/Department(Required)

College(Required)

Start of Program(Required)

Anticipated Graduation(Required)

Degree (s)(Required)

UF Faculty Mentor (First & Last Name)(Required)

Email(Required)

Phone #(Required)

Research Lab/Training Location(Required)

Resume/CV(Required)

Max. file size: 125 MB.

Personal Statement (1 page)(Required)

Max. file size: 125 MB.

Faculty Letter of Recommendation (also can be sent directly to education@cancer.ufl.edu)

Max. file size: 125 MB.

List of 3 references (names, titles & contact information)(Required)

Max. file size: 125 MB.

Discover the Public Service Internship

Helping shape health policy

The UF Health Cancer Institute’s Public Service Internship places students in congressional offices to gain experience in federal health policy and cancer-related advocacy. By engaging directly with policymakers and constituents, interns bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world impact.

An intern poses for a photo for a congressman outside his office.

Public Service Internship Alumni

Fall 2025-Spring 2026 Intern

Ryan Athay

Ryan Athay is a master’s student of public health with a concentration in population health management and interning with Rep. Darren Soto.

Spring 2025 Intern

Mary Kai Patterson

Mary Kai Patterson is a master’s student of public health with a concentration in population health management and interning with Rep. Darren Soto.

Fall 2024 Intern

Cameron M. Ghalayini

Cameron M. Ghalayini is a master’s student in public health with a concentration in population health management and interning with Rep. Darren Soto.

Spring 2024 Intern

Alexi Hernandez Alvarez

Alexi Hernandez Alvarez is a master’s student in public health and interning with Rep. Darren Soto.

Fall 2023 Intern

Shilpi Mistry

Shilpi Mistry is a master’s student in public health with a concentration in Epidemiology and interning with Rep. Darren Soto.

Spring 2023 Intern

Beatriz Veronese

Beatriz Veronese is a doctoral candidate pursuing her Ph.D. in Medical Sciences with a major in Cancer Biology and interning with Rep. Darren Soto.

Fall 2022 Intern

Sadeem Qdaisat

Sadeem Qdaisat, a doctoral candidate pursuing his PhD in Genetics and Genomics, at the Lillian S. Wells Department of Neurosurgery – UF Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, with a focus on Clinical and Translational Science, is interning with Rep. Neal Dunn.

Fall 2022 Intern

Aantaki Raisa

Aantaki Raisa, a doctoral student pursuing her PhD in Mass Communication, is interning with Rep. Darren Soto.

Spring 2022 Intern

Alexandra Sample

Alexandra Sample, a master’s student in Public Health and Health Professions, interned with Rep. Darren Soto.

Fall 2021 Intern

Taylor Bell

Taylor Bell, a doctoral student pursuing his DNP in Nursing, with a concentration on Psych-Mental Health, interned with Rep. Darren Soto.

Fall 2021 Intern

Maya Kedmi

Maya Kedmi, a master’s student in Family, Youth, and Community Sciences, interned with Rep. Kat Cammack.

Spring 2021 Intern

Joseph Washington

Joseph Washington, a PharmD/MPH Candidate in Pharmacy/Public Health & Health Professions, interned with Rep. Darren Soto.

Spring 2020 Intern

Donghee Lee

Donghee Lee, a doctoral student in Mass Communication with a concentration in health and science communication, interned with Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

Spring 2020 Intern

Zachary Sandoval

Zachary Sandoval, a master’s student in Public Health with a concentration in health policy and management, interned with Rep. Darren Soto.

Fall 2019 Intern

Matthew R. Cretul Sr.

Matthew R. Cretul Sr. a doctoral student in Mass Communication with a concentration in Health Communication, interned with Congressman Gus Bilirakis, who sits on both the Energy and Commerce and Veterans Affairs Committees.

Juliette Barbera

Juliette Barbera, a doctoral student in Political Science with concentrations in American Governmental Institutions; Public Policy & Administration; Methodology, interned with Rep. Darren Soto, who sits on the Energy & Commerce Committee & the Health Subcommittee.

Spring 2019 Intern

Fizza Imran

Fizza Imran, a second-year MPH student with a concentration in Public Health Management and Policy and 2018 graduate of the Bachelor of Public Health program, interned for the Spring 2019 semester as the UF Health Cancer Institute’s first cancer policy intern.